Police Minister Bheki Cele says there is a war against police in the Western Cape, as criminals brazenly open fire on cops.
Speaking shortly after visiting wounded cop, Warrant Officer Dannie Botha, at Vincent Pallotti Hospital on Thursday, Cele said the police will continue to “push back” when coming under fire.
The 51-year-old officer and member of the Flying Squad was shot several times by a suspected hijacker, during a high-speed car chase in Muizenberg on Sunday, shortly before 9pm.
The cops had given chase after they picked up on their system that the Chevrolet Aveo had been reported as hijacked in Lwandle in September.
A 9mm firearm and 15 rounds of ammunition belonging to the dead suspect were found at the scene.
Muizenberg scene where a hijacker was shot dead and Warrant Officer Dannie Both was injured. Picture: Leon Knipe
Cele says Botha was recovering well and will soon be moved out of the Intensive Care Unit.
“He is doing very well. I have said time and time again that South African Police are under attack.
“It looks like criminals identify the best police and there is a war against police,” he said
Cele said police would need to change their strategies and approach to safeguard officers as gunmen don’t hesitate to shoot them.
“He (Botha) is doing well and is quite anxious to get back to work. We shall not be pushed back by criminals.”
Earlier this month, Manenberg police also killed a suspected hijacker after he and his two friends opened fire on cops in Tambo Village.
The 24-year-old alleged skollie was shot during a car chase with cops, after they hijacked two vehicles in the same area within minutes.